9 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t
State lawmakers concluded a sometimes contentious 2022 session Thursday night after a final day highlighted by passage of a record-setting supplemental state budget and a nearly $17 billion transportation package. With only minutes to spare, they wrapped up a 60-day session in which COVID’s enduring presence forced dozens of members to work virtually, as they did a year ago. But the pandemic didn’t slow lawmakers. They passed hundreds of bills. Most will soon be signed into law. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Ted S. Warren)
Seattle police must rebuild trust with community, modify use of less-lethal weapons, report says
The Seattle Police Department must rebuild trust with the community, improve its communication with protesters and modify its use of less-lethal and chemical munitions in a crowd, according to the second in a series of detailed critiques of the department’s response to racial justice protests in downtown Seattle in 2020. Seattle’s Office of Inspector General for Public Safety on Monday released its second “Sentinel Event Review” report, examining the local demonstrations that arose after the May 25, 2020, murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Erika Schultz)
Mixed emotions from parents, teachers and students as masks now optional in some schools
Students and staff at Seattle Public Schools now have the option of not wearing a mask for the first time in nearly two years. The district is among several — including Lake Washington, Issaquah and Bellevue — that are letting teachers and students decide whether or not they want to wear a mask at school. The new rules are bringing mixed emotions after there were more than 100 COVID-19 cases in the Seattle school district last week. Continue reading at KIRO 7.
Aberdeen Daily World
Aberdeen and Hoquiam levee projects in line for nearly $10 million in federal funding
Auburn Reporter
Inquests into police shootings to resume in King County
Bainbridge Island Review
Oil owners will be liable for spills (Gregerson)
Bellingham Herald
Whatcom’s COVID infection rate drops below 100, but hospitalization rate slowly climbing
Not all rental prices in Bellingham are increasing, here’s where to look
With mask mandate over, Whatcom has reason to smile with lowest COVID rates since July
Capital Press
Washington Legislature passes $17 billion transportation plan (Liias)
9th Circuit rejects third lawsuit against barred owl removal experiment
La Nina hangs on, expected to stick through summer
Columbian
Clark County legislators saw success during session (Cleveland)
Opinion: In Our View: Well-informed public key to democracy
Everett Herald
How to weigh in on Everett light rail’s route and stations
School, but not police, punish Lake Stevens student over ‘racist’ post
Near Stanwood, neighbors oppose proposed psychiatric center
‘Great Resignation’: Many career shifts in Snohomish County
In Snohomish County, climate change is an economic game changer
Rough and rumbly section of Highway 9 set for emergency repairs
As masks come off, Snohomish County locals have mixed emotions
2 Superior Court judge positions added in Snohomish County
What we know: Washington coronavirus outbreak at a glance
9 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t
Comment: Saunders: It’s ‘the People’s House’; time to reopen the Capitol
Comment: Local leaders key to American Rescue Plan’s success
Comment: More ‘sunshine’ can help trust in government thrive
Editorial: Give last captured Salish Sea orca shot to return
Editorial: Congress, let’s not do the time warp again; ever
The Facts Newspaper
Applications are open for the new Small Business Capital Access Program!
Transformational investments in transportation, housing, climate lead as Legislature adjourns 2022
Kitsap Sun
Legislature sends funding to Kitsap-area projects
News Tribune
Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls will drop with the passage of this bill. Here’s how, when (Randall)
Op-Ed: Seattle’s Skagit dams harm salmon and orcas, but WA Dems focus only on the Snake. Why?
Op-Ed: This isn’t why I came to the U.S. Free us from the tyranny of Inslee’s emergency powers
New York Times
Ukraine Live Updates: 3 European Leaders Head to Kyiv as Attacks Continue
China’s Covid Lockdowns Set to Further Disrupt Global Supply Chains
Global Economy Sinks Deeper into Turmoil as Fed Prepares to Raise Rates
How California Is Building the Nation’s First Privacy Police
Olympian
WSDOT wants input on strategies to improve I-5 corridor from Tumwater to Dupont
Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers confirmed Monday in Washington state
Peninsula Daily News
Fund for seismic measures passed (Van De Wege, Chapman, Tharinger)
COVID-19 case rates continue downward trend
Road work begins on U.S. Highway 101 near Lake Crescent
Puget Sound Business Journal
Striking Teamsters offer to return to work on limited basis in Seattle
Reporter’s notebook: Tensions between tech workers and employers were plain to see in Olympia
Higher-ed leaders: How we’re preparing students for the future workplace
Here’s where masks are still required after state, local mandates expire
Washington’s estate tax revenue spiked in 2020. Could this be why?
Alaska Airlines launches training program to address pilot shortage
Covid’s boomtowns: How the pandemic has redefined the way people live … and reshaped many of America’s cities in the process
Comment: We aren’t giving up on Pioneer Square — and neither should you
Seattle Times
Amazon, Sound Transit will build hundreds of apartments in Bellevue, SeaTac in affordable-housing push
What Russia’s war in Ukraine means for Washington’s wheat market
‘You can fake anything on the internet’: Professors host day to teach WA students to combat misinformation
Inquest is first test of King County’s revamped review of deadly police shootings
Seattle police must rebuild trust with community, modify use of less-lethal weapons, report says
Easier access to a better treatment — buprenorphine — is helping people with opioid use disorder turn their lives around
Opinion: Break the grip of oil states like Russia with clean-energy transition
Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County gets the $14 million it needs to build new Guemes Island Ferry
State reports 51 new cases of COVID-19 for Skagit County during past week
Sol De Yakima
Valle de Yakima levanta mandato de mascarilla como el estado de Washington
Yakima discutirá estacionamiento de casas rodantes, viviendas pequeñas en Camp Hope
South Seattle Emerald
Starting Monday, March 14, masks will be optional in Seattle Public Schools
Spokesman Review
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing. Here’s what might be part of a deal
For the first time in two years, most Spokane County students show their faces in class
Providence launches mental health program for new and expecting mothers
Getting There: Spokane’s growth inspires new STA transit project with more bus routes headed east
Tri-City Herald
West Richland development could bring thousands of homes and Queensgate-sized shopping area
Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Masks now optional in most Walla Walla Valley city and county buildings — here’s what to expect
Students arrive at Davis Elementary School in College Place on first unmasked day in two years
Construction work continues at Walla Walla High School, officials say in latest update
American flag retirement drop box installed at College Place City Hall
Washington Post
The truth about gas prices and oil production
Millions of vulnerable Americans likely to fall off Medicaid once the federal public health emergency ends
Fox News cameraman killed in Ukraine; European leaders traveling to Kyiv
Broadcast
KING 5 TV (NBC)
‘My child is worth it’: Parents in Fife call for teacher’s dismissal
Masks now optional for Seattle Public School students, teachers
KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle city attorney announces initiative to address repeat criminal offenders
Striking concrete mixer drivers offer to return to several Seattle-area projects
Seattle woman responding to Ukrainian refugee crisis
Verdict in civil trial of fatal 2019 Seattle crane collapse
Homeless encampments on the move after City Hall encampment sweep
Seattle police seeking person of interest in fatal shooting at 3rd and Pine
Job fair Tuesday for up to 100 positions at Bellevue assisted living center
As Russian invasion expands, so do Seattle-based efforts to help Ukrainians
Father of Oakley Carlson pleads guilty to separate charges
Mixed emotions from parents, teachers and students as masks now optional in some schools
Guilty plea for Seattle man who tried to join Islamic State
KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New initiative identifies hundreds who have caused thousands of crimes in Seattle
Washington schools discuss dropped mask mandate’s impact on staffing, student learning
KUOW Public Radio
Maskless in Seattle: Today So Far
The goal: Vaccinate 70% of the world against COVID. Scientists are proposing a reboot
KXLY (ABC)
Spokane Police chief claims SPS isn’t following mandatory reporting procedure with threats, assaults at schools
Spokane Valley Fire Department breaking ground on new facility Tuesday
Web
Crosscut
Seattle high-needs homeless program at risk of ending
Waiting on small business, rental or other relief in WA? Tell us your story
Rural WA agencies seek federal support to fortify against cyberattacks
Las instituciones rurales de WA buscan apoyo federal para fortalecerse contra los ataques cibernéticos
MyNorthwest
Jury awards $150 million to victims of 2019 Seattle crane collapse
Inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths resume in King County
Seattle City Attorney launches partnership to address prolific offenders
Seattle-area concrete delivery resumes with some drivers cleared to work Tuesday
Local leaders weigh investigation into concrete suppliers over bid-rigging and collusion concerns
Report details path to repairing ‘erosion of trust’ between Seattle police, protesters
UW expert: ‘Nuclear is absolutely essential’ as feds fund next-gen nuclear revitalization
Washington schools begin shift to mask-optional approach for students
Flush with state dollars, Seattle’s Aurora redesign emerges
Seattle entrepreneurs are saving forests one square of toilet paper at a time
An inch of Seattle-area lowland rain expected through Wednesday morning
West Seattle Blog
CONCRETE STRIKE: Drivers say they’ll return to work at 3 companies without a settlement ‘to allow concrete to flow to critical projects’ including West Seattle Bridge
POLITICS: Longtime State Rep. Eileen Cody of West Seattle retiring: ‘I had a good run’
UTILITY WORK: Planned outage next week for ~500 customers